FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

What is freedom? Freedom is defined as; "The right to do or say what you
want without anyone stopping you: freedom of speech/ thought! Expression / worship/ threat to press! Academic freedom or rights and freedom guaranteed by the constitution; freedom of information..." (OD: 473) The media has fell under scrutiny regarding its discrepancies in challenging the unfortunate deeds of the past and eradicating racial, cultural and sexual slurs. With freedom of expression arise such questions: Does freedom of expression exist in our South Africa media? Are we as a country, still trapped in the wrong-doings of the past?

Press freedom lays in correlation with freedom of expression; if fact some scholars would argue that, they are identical under the association of expressionist ideals. Freedom of expression in South Africa has long been forthcoming since the days of manufactured separation and oppression. As many would argue that South Africa is still reeling from the parallels of the past and the media is learning to adapt to our newly found democratic state and freedom of expression. South Africa has various organizations that govern the endorsement of freedom of the press and public expressionism, in a wider context. Organizations such as the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) and the South Africa National Editor's Forum (SANEF) together with the Media Institute of South Africa (MISA) form a confederation of press freedom regulators in our society, which promotes the philosophy of freedom of speech. This motion of free speech to all is closely entrenched within the scripted confines of our constitution, which is recognized by Guy Lundy, in his publication on South Africa's press freedom, who states:

"The Bill of Rights in the South African Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to which includes freedom of the press and other media, freedom to receive or impart information, freedom of artistic creativity, academic freedom and freedom of scientific research." (Lugy: 2006)

3rd of May Press Freedom Day, an internationally based organization; Reporters Without Borders (RSF), marked South Africa as one of leading countries in the world, in implementing and maintaining press freedom and freedom of speech, in comparison to countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia. South Africa was the highest ranked country in Africa and was described by RSF as having 'freedom', which in essence is a giant leap from the country's censorship laws of the 198 neighbours, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. (Lugy: 2006)

In the late nineties; teacher, novelist and globe-trotter Paul Theroux, interviewed Nobel Prize laureate for literature, Nadine Gordimer about freedom of expression in South Africa after the press disapproved on her new novel; July's People, which was aimed for publications to South African schools. However was deemed "too racist" by the Book Selection Committee in the Gauteng Province Education Department. The premise of their banning of the book was that, the book does not represent the truth about the situation in our country. Nadine Gordimer notes that censorship in South Africa has never been simple and that South Africa has a long way to go in being totally transparent in its views of freedom of expression. (Theroux P: 2002)

The ripples of press freedom were felt by the South African society, when a prominent pebble, the now President Jacob Zuma, then former Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, was thrown into the dam of public scrutiny after rape charges were laid against him by a lady who alleged, Zuma was her uncle and allegedly raped her in his home. The media was banned from the hearing of this case by the police and The Star's journalist and photographer were prevented from attending the hearing. The newspaper was apparently told by the then; Area Commissioner Reddy that the hearing was "highly confidential" and that no one was allowed in. Jonathan Shapiro, famously known as Zapiro - a satirist cartoon illustrator faced a lawsuit from President Jacob Zuma for illustrating the events of his rape charges from a satiric point of view.

This also brings to mind the case of the then, disgraced cricketer, captain of the South African team, Hansie Cronjie, who appeared before the commission of inquiry regarding charges of match-fixing. The press was for the first time in the history of South Africa, given permission to be allowed to broadcast live pictures of the hearing on television. A sensible individual would ask; why is it, when government officials are involved in any corruption scandals the press is given bad treatment by authorities. And when ordinary citizens are guilty in the same magnitude as members of parliament, they are exposed with the full wrath of the Press.

In Graham Greer's: A NEW INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISM, he states that journalist have an obligation to defend the freedom of the press at all times and that this obligation comes with the job, but can lead to difficult decisions and painful consequences for the journalist (Greer G; p23). Zimbabwe is a perfect example of journalist living with their hard felt consequences under the governments tough censorship laws and Mugabe's dictatorship, however Zimbabwe is not the only country in the southern hemisphere that prohibits its press from exercising the right to freedom of expression.

"Freedom of the press belongs to the people. It must be defended against encroachment or assault from any quarter, public or private. Journalists must be constantly alert to see that the public's business is conducted in public. They must be vigilant against [watch out for] all who would exploit the public for selfish purposes." (Greer: 1999)

Ultimately freedom prevails and South Africa has bear witness to hash bannings of expression during its racial turmoil years and open expression in the current xenophobia, service delivery protests. South Africa will overcome all these revolutionary activities and be a champion in the African continent for its human rights laws, including freedom of speech.

When we as a nation, as South Africans, as citizens of the world, will in the impression of Martin Luther King Jr. proclaim: "When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from our hearts, from our homes and communal settings, from our streets to the boardroom and in all the places that breath human dignity, our voices will be heard. When all individuals in the public arena will sing: “Freedom of expression at last! Freedom of expression at last! Thank God almighty we are free to express what we want!"

WORD TO A NEW REVOLUTION!

By Linda Sakazi Thwala